Hepatitis is a virus characterized by an inflamed liver. As of now, there are vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The other three types of hepatitis do not yet have any vaccinations available. Hepatitis A affects approximately 100,000 Americans each year. This type of hepatitis is primarily found in the blood and stools of an infected person. Coming into contact with infected blood or stool is what puts a person at risk for developing the infection. Hepatitis B has affected approximately 12 million Americans. This type of hepatitis is primarily found in and spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and other body fluids. Direct contact with infected blood, using or being pricked by an infected needle, and unprotected sex with an infected person is what puts a person at risk for developing an infection. To be protected against these two infections, there is a hepatitis vaccine for each of them.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

The symptoms of these two types hepatitis are similar, but there is a few differences. The symptoms of hepatitis A include:

Dark urine

Itching

Low-grade fever

Nausea and vomiting

Jaundice

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

Clay-colored or pale stools

The symptoms of hepatitis B include:

Loss of appetite

Low-grade fever

Nausea and vomiting

Fatigue

Joint and muscle aches

Jaundice-related dark urine and yellow skin

What is the Hepatitis Vaccine and What is its Purpose?

The hepatitis vaccine is administered to prevent the occurrence of hepatitis. There is a vaccine for hepatitis A and a separate vaccine for hepatitis B. In order to be protected from both of these types of hepatitis, patients will need to get both vaccines, and every dose of each vaccine.

What are the Possible Hepatitis Vaccine Side Effects?

The side effects of each hepatitis vaccine varies. The side effects associated with the hepatitis A vaccine tend to last up to 48 hours if they do occur and include:

Injection site soreness

Loss of appetite

Headache

Tiredness

A serious allergic reaction is rare, but can occur.

The side effects associated with the hepatitis B vaccine can include:

Injection site soreness

Temperature higher than 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit

Serious problems only happen in extremely rare cases, such as severe allergic reactions which affect approximately every one in 1.1 million doses.

Who Should Not Get the Hepatitis Vaccine?

In some cases, certain factors may prevent a patient from being able to get one or both of these vaccinations.

Those who may not be able to have the hepatitis A vaccination include:

Those who have had a previous, severe allergic reaction to this vaccine

Those who are severely ill

Those who have had a previous, severe allergic reaction to alum, 2-phenoxyethanol or any other vaccine component

Pregnant women

Those who may not be able to have the hepatitis B vaccine include:

Those who have had a previous, severe allergic reaction to this vaccine

Those who have a severe allergic reaction to baker’s yeast that could be life-threatening